96five Celebrates the Life of Haydn Sargent

It is with much sadness that 96five mourns the passing of beloved friend and co-worker Haydn Sargent. Haydn was a very popular broadcaster at several Brisbane radio and television stations during his working career. And he became a tireless advocate for 96five Family Radio after his retirement, being both a station manager and serving on the Family Radio board for many years, including as Board Chairman.

Haydn was instrumental in 96five finally receiving our fulltime broadcast licence in 2001, after we’d spent 20 years of trying and failing. My favourite story related to this happened in December 1997:

Haydn and his wife Norma were leaving for a European tour holiday, and as they sat on the airplane in Sydney Haydn introduced himself to the man beside him. It turned out the man was on the same tour they were, and that he’d just been made redundant from the Australian Broadcasting Authority where he was in charge of assessing community radio applications! Haydn’s jaw dropped!

Haydn picked his brains about why Family Radio’s application had been unsuccessful for all those years, and by the time the holiday was over Haydn had formulated our licence application which ended up being highly successful. It’s amazing what God did and how faithful Haydn was in asking God for His wisdom.

Haydn was a great encourager, and many people throughout Brisbane and Australia have been touched by his kind words and support. 96five staff and board members are saddened at the news of Haydn’s passing but we’re very thankful that we knew him as a friend. And we’re heartened that Haydn’s impact continues in the influence this station is having – and will have – on families throughout this city.

To his wife Norma, children Philip, Jenny, Cathy, Leisa and Christopher and his nine grandchildren, our thoughts and prayers of comfort are with you all.